Press Release  DCR Announces Expanded Lifeguard Coverage for Additional Inland and Ocean Waterfronts Across the Commonwealth

Boston — The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) today announced that 16 additional inland and coastal designated swimming areas will begin to offer extended lifeguard services starting on Saturday, June 17, through the summer season.  

More than 28 designated swimming areas across the Commonwealth will have lifeguards on duty from approximately 10:15AM to 5:45PM either five or seven days a week depending on the location. Additionally, the agency will open its two wading pools on Saturday, June 17. On Memorial Day Weekend, DCR opened its 81 state beaches and waterfronts for the summer season and began lifeguard services at 15 early start beaches and waterfronts across Massachusetts.  

"Every summer, DCR welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors to our beautiful state parks, beaches, and pools across the Commonwealth,” said DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo. “We are committed to providing safe and fun recreational opportunities for our families and residents and hiring a qualified staff of lifeguards ensures that we can provide access to our pools and waterfronts throughout the summer season.” 

For a full list of all of DCR’s guarded waterfronts and beaches click here. 

In addition to lifeguard services, DCR conducts regular water quality testing at all of its more than 80 designated swimming areas and has ropes and buoys in place at inland water areas to signify safe swimming areas. Visitors will also see safety signage at unguarded locations that can be translated into nine languages – including Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, Traditional Chinese, Arabic, Cape Verdean Creole, Mandarin, and Russian – using a QR code, and life rings for the public to use at guarded and unguarded swimming areas in the event of an emergency.   

Water Safety tips to adhere to when swimming include:    

·       Only swim at or within designated swimming areas. Swimming outside of the designated swimming areas, or at waterfronts where swimming is prohibited can be dangerous;    

·       Use the buddy system and always tell someone where you are going;  

·       Keep a close eye on children near the water. Parents and other guardians serve as the first and primary line of safety for their children;  

·       Teach children to always ask permission before going near the water;  

·       Avoid consuming alcohol or drugs;  

·       Drink lots of water;  

·       Don’t dive headfirst into the water;  

·       Do not swim during a storm or when there is lightning;  

·       Make sure you know how to swim. If you can’t swim, keep to shallow areas or use a U.S. Coast Guard-guard-approved life jacket;  

·       Don’t swim beyond your skillset; 

·       If caught in a rip current, don't swim against it. Swim parallel to the shoreline to escape it and then at an angle toward the beach;    

·       When in a boat, wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket; and  

·       If a person in your group goes missing, check the water and notify lifeguards and park staff immediately.   

DCR will once again provide free swimming lessons to children at select agency pools across Massachusetts starting in July 2023, through the Learn to Swim Program. More information about this year’s Learn to Swim Program will be available in the coming weeks. Additionally, earlier this month, the Healey-Driscoll announced it has awarded 14 organizations throughout the state a total of up to $372,000 in funding through the Safe Water Initiative Massachusetts (SWIM) program, to provide free swim lessons to people of all ages.   

The Healey-Driscoll Administration is continuing to hire certified lifeguards to work at DCR-managed beaches and pools this summer. This year, the Administration increased the hourly rate for pool and waterfront staff to between $22 and $27, depending on position and associated certifications. The agency also offered bonuses of up to $1,250, $1,000 of which is still available for certified lifeguards who commit to employment before July 1, 2023. In addition to the early sign-on bonuses, DCR is also providing retention bonuses that will be provided to lifeguards who continue to work for the department through the end of the season. To learn more about lifeguarding opportunities, please visit the agency’s lifeguarding webpage.   

Additionally, DCR opened 13 of the agency’s 21 spray decks on Memorial Day Weekend. The remaining spray decks and 24 agency pools will open for the season on June 24, with lifeguard services seven days a week.   

To learn more about water safety, please visit the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) website.   

DCR is also continuing to recruit for seasonal positions across the state. DCR manages state parks, forests, coastal and inland beaches, pools and campground facilities from the Berkshires to Cape Cod. Available positions include park rangers, park interpreters, supervisors, pool managers, drivers, coastal shore bird monitors, forestry assistants, buildings and ground maintenance workers, and office assistants. To learn more about DCR seasonal employment, please visit the agency’s seasonal jobs webpage.  

For the most up to date information on park openings and closures check the DCR park closure alerts.  

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